Reluctantly Royal(32)

“Says the artist covered in mud and paint.” She laughed. “You look just like your brother when you do that.” She motioned toward my eyebrow.

“That won’t do.” I wiped my face clean. “I wanted to tell you, I’m not going to the speech today.”

“Cathy told me.” She sat back down on her spot. “I get it.”

“Cathy told you? She acted like I had to go.” I threw myself down in one of the armchairs. “She wouldn’t leave me alone about it.”

“She just wanted to know what had you so upset.” She waggled her finger at me. “You only run when something is bothering you.”

“You’ve officially been around too long.” I glared at her.

“Bah. You love me. I’m the sister you always wanted.” She giggled.

“I already have one annoying sister.” I closed my eyes so she wouldn’t see my amusement. Though I had a feeling that she knew me too well at this point to doubt it.

“Exactly.” Her tone turned serious. “I didn’t mean to put you in a bad spot, Max. I really can send someone else over there to help out.”

“No, I’m fine.” I’d said it too quickly. Why hadn’t I just let her send someone else? “It would just make her frustrated to have a bunch of new people around.”

“I get it.” She frowned. “I think I’ve started to get used to having so many people around. Which is scary.”

“You’re just glad you don’t have to bend over to pick up anything you’ve dropped.” I opened one eye to look at her.

“Oh, you’re so funny. You try to bend over with a basketball stuck in your stomach. See how easy it is.”

“Not really my thing.” I closed my eyes and was caught unsuspecting by the giant pillow that landed on my head. “I deserved that.”

“No kidding.”

“Sorry, pregnant lady.” I shot her my best smile.

“You’re lucky you’re cute.” She rolled her eyes. “Seriously though, Cathy said your mom sent someone to help out. If you aren’t comfortable going over there, or think that it will upset Meredith, then leave it alone. I didn’t mean to make things difficult. I just wanted to help.”

“I know.” I looked at her. “But she’s stuck with me now.”

“Heh.” Sam narrowed her eyes.

“Don’t ‘heh’ me.” Hehs from Sam were dangerous. It meant she was working something out in her head.

“Is it bad over there?” She frowned.

I shrugged. It really wasn’t my place to say and I didn’t want to upset my highly hormonal sister-in-law. The truth was that Meredith and Marty needed somewhere else to live, preferably back in England where she had been building them a life. But for now, I’d just have to try to be a wall between them and the worst of it.

“That bad, huh?” She frowned. “It must be if your mom sent someone to take charge.”

“Oh, that’ll go over well.” I snorted. Meredith was not going to let someone come in and just run rampant. “Good luck with that.”

“She’s stubborn, huh?”

“As stubborn as you.” I wasn’t surprised when she laughed.

“That’s rough. You’ll have your work cut out for you.” She paused, and I could see her rub her belly out of the corner of my eye. “How is Marty?”

“He’s coping.” The thought of him in that big house with his grandfather made me ill. “Is she bringing him to the speech?”

“I don’t think so.” She frowned. “Not really a great place for a little one.”

“Good.” I stood up. “I thought I might go take him fishing.”

“Fishing?” She looked at me with surprised eyes. “You’re going to go take a little boy fishing. Heh.”

“Stop it. I told him I’d take him. His great-grandfather used to take him all the time.” Plus it would get him out of the house with his grandfather. Not that I was going to tell Sam that. She might show up with the cavalry if she thought there was a little one in danger. I was sure that Meredith had left him with someone who would watch out for him, but still. It would make me feel better if I was there. I could leave as soon as she got back and still feel like I had done my duty.

It would also alleviate my guilt at not being there for Meredith while she made a difficult public appearance.

I would leave as soon as she got there. I wouldn’t hang around hoping for another kiss, like a lovesick schoolboy. Nope. Not going to happen. I’d hang out with Marty and then come home. So what if it was a two-hour drive? It didn’t matter in the long run. What else was I going to do today? Plus it would mean that I could avoid the media.